Shoe closure system

ABSTRACT

A shoe closure system includes a plurality of fasteners corresponding to the pairs of eyelets in a shoe. Each fastener includes any elongated elastic member and releasably engageable male and female fastening devices secured to opposite ends of the elongated elastic member. The fastening devices and the elongated elastic member are cross-sectionally dimensioned to pass through the eyelets in the shoe. The male and female fastening devices are passed down through the eyelets in a respective pair of eyelets and are connected to one another at positions above the tongue of the shoe. The elasticity of the elongated elastic member holds the shoe in a comfortably closed position on the foot without having to tie the laces on the shoe. The elongated elastic member can be provided with indicia corresponding to a brand name, team name or logo.

This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/291,952 filed on Jan. 4, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a fastening member for footwear.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices for fastening shoes are well known in the prior art. The most common device for fastening a shoe is the shoelace. The shoelace is generally defined by a length of string or cord. The shoelace has a first end and a second end, each end generally defined by an aglet. The aglet is typically made of a thin sheet of plastic or metal and is used to tightly bind the ends of the lace. In operation, the shoelace is strung through a series of eyelets on the left and right sides of the upper cover of a shoe, beginning at the toe end of the shoe. The shoelace is generally designed to be of a length to allow a sufficient portion of the lace to be exposed at the heel end of the upper cover on both the left and right sides of the upper cover. The exposed lengths can be pulled on to tighten the shoe around an individual's foot. After the shoe has been properly tightened, the exposed length is usually tied into either a bow or knotted, to ensure the tightness of the shoe is substantially maintained.

While shoelaces substantially achieve their purpose of maintaining the tightness of a shoe, they have several drawbacks. For instance, when the laces are tied, the ends are exposed, generally hanging over the side of a the shoe. The laces may be stepped on or become caught or entangled on another object. In this event, the lace will likely become untied, resulting in the loosening of the shoe. Additionally, the user may step on his own lace, causing himself to trip and possibly injure himself. Furthermore, a user may have a difficult time lacing his shoe to ensure the exposed portion of the lace on the left side and the exposed portion on the right side are of equal lengths. Still further, tying shoelaces can be frustrating for the user in achieving lengths in all exposed portions of the lace that will not become caught, tangled, or stepped on.

The shortcomings of shoelaces are evident in athletic events, especially those involving bicycles. A common fear among bicyclists is that a shoelace will become caught in the bike chain. This can be a dangerous event as the rider may lose all control of the bike and fall. Specialized shoes for cyclists have been developed, but represent an added cost as they are virtually unusable in pursuits that do not involve a bicycle. Similarly, shoelaces can be difficult for athletes participating in triathlons. Triathletes must transition between swimming, biking, and running phases. It can be time-consuming and burdensome to have to bring separate pairs of footwear for the biking and running portions. Therefore, it is ideal to have a shoe that is easy to slip on and can be used in both the running and biking phases.

In addition, shoelaces are difficult to use for the elderly and the injured. Individuals with back or leg injuries may find it difficult to bend over to tie a shoe, or to retie a loose lace. Similarly, the elderly may not be able to tie shoes without a great deal of discomfort. Therefore, it is preferable for the elderly and some injured people to have a shoe that does not require tied laces.

Shoelaces are not the only means of fastening a shoe. For instance, hook and loop bands (Velcro) are commonly used as a fastener on shoes. A Velcro flap or a plurality of Velcro flaps are generally affixed to either the left or right side surface of the shoe. The Velcro band is pulled across the top of the shoe in a left to right or right to left direction and engages with a corresponding Velcro band affixed to the upper surface of the shoe. This type of fastener also has drawbacks. For instance, the noise made by the hook portion of the Velcro being pulled from the loop portion is unpleasant and disruptive. In addition, the Velcro can become loosened during wear. Further, in order to achieve sufficient tightness, the Velcro needs to be reengaged for each use, and, consequently, disengaged each time the user removes his shoe. The constant engaging and disengaging of the fastener eventually weakens the Velcro. Thus, the shoe must generally be discarded when the Velcro fails because the Velcro is permanently affixed to the shoe. Thus, the replacement cost of Velcro is significantly higher than that of a shoelace.

Other devices exist that eliminate the drawbacks of regular shoelaces and avoid the problems associated with Velcro fasteners. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,315 discloses a shoe fastening device and plate shaped member. The device consists of a plurality of flexible band members. Each band member has a first end and a second end and first and second protruding members extend upward from the respective first end and the second end. The protruding members are so shaped to allow a user to urge the protruding member upward into an eyelet located on the upper side of the shoe. The leading end of the protruding member will expand upon passing through the eyelet to lock the protruding member in place. The '315 patent eliminates the problems associated with loose shoelace ends. However, the '315 patent also has significant drawbacks. For instance, the mushroom shaped protruding members disclosed in the preferred embodiment appear difficult to disengage from the eyelet, especially when the shoe is being worn. Additionally, the band member is of a set length. Thus, it is likely that people with narrow feet will be unable to achieve a desired tightness using the bands disclosed by the '315 patent. Similarly, the limited flexibility of the band make it likely that a person with wide feet would be unable to use the device comfortably.

In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to provide a fastening device for a shoe that does not have exposed ends.

It is further object of the invention to provide a fasting device that is removable from the shoe.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a fastening device for a shoe that is easy to engage and disengage with the eyelets of the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a fastening device for a shoe.

A shoe is provided having a sole and an upper portion. The shoe also has a toe end and a heel end. The upper portion is defined by a left side and a right side extending upwardly from the left and right edges of the sole, respectively, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sole. The upper edges of the left and right sides of the upper portion are defined by a plurality of eyelets substantially parallel to the upper edge of both the left and right sides in a toe to heel direction. The upper portion further has a toe cap extending upward from the toe end of the sole. The toe cap of the upper portion rises from the sole in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sole before forming a ninety degree angle and continuing towards the heel portion of the shoe, substantially parallel to the sole. A tongue with a first end and a second end and a left edge and right edge, extends from a position near the toe of the shoe towards the heel. The tongue is longer in the first end to second end direction then in the left to right direction. The first end of the tongue is permanently affixed near the toe cap of the upper portion of the shoe. The left and right sides of the upper portion overlap the tongue. While the amount of overlap may vary, it should be at least large enough that the entirety of a bottom side of the eyelets rest entirely on a top surface of the tongue.

A first fastening device is defined as a length of flexible material. In the preferred embodiment, the fastening device is at least partly composed of elastic. The fastening device has a first end and a second end. The first end is defined by a female connecting device. The second end is defined by a male connecting device. The first end is to be inserted into an eyelet on either the left or right side in a downward direction and the second end is to be inserted into a corresponding eyelet on the opposite side in a downward direction. The first end and the second end are urged across the surface of the tongue. The male connecting device is to be inserted into the female connecting device at a position above the tongue.

The process for the first fastening device is repeated with a plurality of substantially identical fastening devices. In the preferred embodiment, each eyelet on the shoe should hold a fastening device. The length of the fastening devices may vary.

While the connecting device can vary, it should be strong enough to remain engaged over numerous operations by the user. In practice, after the fastening devices have been inserted into the eyelets and the connecting device has been engaged, the user pulls the tongue in a substantially vertical direction to expand the fastening devices. The fastening devices should be expanded to allow insertion of a foot into the fastening device. After the foot has been inserted in the shoe, the user releases the tongue and the fastening devices return resiliently to grip the foot. To remove the foot from the shoe, the user merely lifts the tongue in a vertical direction and slips his foot out.

The appearance of the fastening device may vary. However, in the preferred embodiment, a top surface of the fastening device should have a smooth flat appearance. In one embodiment, the width of the fastening device is sufficiently narrow to allow a user to decorate the device by inserting the device through a plurality of beads. In another embodiment, the flat top surface is sufficiently wide to allow the addition of a logo, such as that of a corporation, school or sports team. Moreover, the fastening device may come in a variety of colors and allow the user to make a fashion statement by alternating or mixing colors to create different patterns, such as the colors of a school or team.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fastening member fastened to a shoe.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 and showing the fastening member fastened to a shoe.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening member in a partly connected state.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the fastening member in an unconnected state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, the present invention will now be described based on an embodiment thereof. As shown in FIG. 1 a shoe 2 is provided having a front end 4 and a back end 6. The shoe 2 further has a sole 5 extending between the front end 4 and the back end 6. An upper cover 8 extends upward from the sole 5 and is permanently affixed to the sole 5 along the entirety of a peripheral edge 7.

The upper cover 8 extends in a substantially vertical direction from the peripheral edge 7 of the sole 5 for a predetermined distance. The upper cover 8 then bends slightly inward from a left side, a right side, and the front end 4. An inner edge 9 of the upper cover 8 defines a U-shaped slit 10 in the upper cover 8 substantially parallel to the sole. The slit 10 terminates in a substantially circular or oval opening 13 between the slit 10 and the back end 6. The opening 13 is of a size that allows for the insertion of a foot. A tongue 12 is attached near a front end of the upper cover 8 and extends in a front to back direction, terminating at a position slightly rearward of the slit 10 and protruding into the opening 13. The rearward edge of the tongue 12 should not interfere with the insertion of a foot into the opening 13. The left and right sides of the inner edge 9 of the slit 10 partially over lap a left edge 14 and a right edge 15 of the tongue 12.

The left side and right side of the inner edge 9 adjacent to the U-shaped slit 10 are defined by a plurality of eyelets 11. A plurality of fasteners F are provided. Each fastener F has an elongated elastic member 14 with a first end 15 and a second end 16. The first end 15 is defined by A male fastening device 17 is attached to the first end 15 and a female fasting device 18 is attached to the second end 16. The male fastening device 17 and the female fastening device 18 are releasably engageable to form a circular loop. While the male-female fastener is disclosed in the preferred embodiment, any other fastening system may be used. The plurality of fasten elastic members 14 may be made of any of numerous elastic materials. The size of the fastening members 14 may also vary, but within limits dictated by the size and shape of t shoe. In the preferred embodiment, the width of the elastic members 14 should be sufficiently for the printing or embroidery of a brand name school name, team name or logo. Additionally, the cross sectional dimensions of the male and female fastening devices 17, 18 are narrower than the diameter of the eyelets 11. Moreover, the cross sectional dimensions of the male and female fastening devices 17, 18 are narrower than the width of the elastic members 14 so that the male and female fastening devices can be concealed below the elastic portion and will not cause discomfort to the wearer's foot. Each male fasting device 17 has a crimping portion 20 for permanent crimped connection to the first end 15 of the elastic member 14. Each male fastening device 17 also has a cross-sectional narrow shank 22 adjacent the crimping portion 20 and a cross-sectionally large ball 24 at the end of the shank 22. Each female fastening device 18 has a crimping portion 30 crimped into connection with the second end 16 of the elastic member 14 and a tube 32 adjacent the crimping portion 30. The tube 32 has a slot 34 with a width larger than the shank 22 but smaller than the ball 24. However, an end of the slot 34 closest to the crimping portion 30 defines an enlarged opening 36 that can receive the ball 24. The ball 24 is inserted into the opening 36 and the male fasting device 17 then is pivoted so that the shank 22 passes through the slot 34 and is retained in substantially coaxial alignment with the tube 32.

The male fasting device 17 at the first end 15 of the elastic members 14 of one of the plurality of fasteners F passes through one of the plurality of eyelets 11 from the top of the eyelet 11 to the bottom of the eyelet 11 on the left side of the inner edge 9 of the upper cover 8. The female fastening device 18 at the second end 16 passes through the opposite eyelet 11 in a downward direction on the right side of the inner edge 9 of the upper cover 8. The first and second ends 15, 16 then are turned inward and the male fastening device 17 and female fastening device 18 are engaged at a position above the upper surface of the tongue 12. A second fastener F is connected through a second pair of eyelets 11 in the same manner. In the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of fastening members correspond to one left and right corresponding eyelets 11.

Once inserted, the plurality of fasteners F elastically hold the tongue 12 in place. In operation, a user pulls the tongue 12 in a substantially vertical direction away from the sole 5 of the shoe 2. The user than inserts a foot through the circular opening 13 and below the tongue 12. When the user has fully inserted the foot into the shoe 2, the user releases the tongue 12 and the tongue 12 elastically returns to its original position due to the elastic restoring forces of the fasteners F. The plurality of fasteners F secure the foot in place between the sole Sand the tongue 12. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe closure system for use on a shoe having an upper and a U-shaped opening in the upper, the U-shaped opening having opposite first and second sides, a plurality of first eyelets and a plurality of second eyelets formed through the upper at locations in proximity to the respective first and second sides of the U-shaped opening, the eyelets being disposed in pairs with each pair having one first eyelet and an opposed second eyelet, the pairs of eyelets being spaced apart from one another in a heel-to-toe direction, each of the eyelets having and inner diameter, the shoe closure system having a plurality of fasteners, each of the fasteners comprising: an elongated resilient material having opposite first and second ends; first and second fastening devices secured respectively to the first and second ends of the elongated resilient material, the first and second fastening devices being releasably engageable with one another, the elongated resilient material and the first and second fastening devices having cross-sectional dimensions to fit through each of the eyelets so that in the first fastening device of one of said fasteners can be passed through the first eyelet in one of said pairs and so that the second fastening device of the respective fastener can be passed through the second eyelet in the respective pair with the first and second fastening devices being releasably connected to one another to hold the first and second sides of the U-shaped opening in proximity to one another.
 2. The shoe closure system of claim 1, wherein the elongated resilient material is an elastic material.
 3. The shoe closure system of claim 2, wherein the elongated elastic material has a thickness and a width that exceeds the thickness, the elongated resilient material having indicia thereon along at least one surfaces defining the width.
 4. The shoe closure system of claim 3 wherein the width of the elongated elastic material exceeds a maximum cross-sectional dimension of the fastening devices.
 5. The shoe closure system of claim 3, wherein the indicia is printed or embroidered on the elastic material
 6. The shoe closure system of claim 2, wherein each of the fasteners has a length selected to hold the sides of the U-shaped opening in a selected proximity to one another.
 7. The shoe closure system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fasteners corresponds in number to the plurality of pairs of eyelets.
 8. The shoe closure system of claim 1, wherein each first fastening device is a male fastening device and wherein each second fastening device is a female fastening device.
 9. The shoe closure system of claim 8, wherein each male fastening device has a narrow shank and a ball at an end of the shank remote from the elongated elastic member, each female fastening device having a tube with an open end and a slot extending from the open end, an enlarged hole extending into the tube at an end of the slot remote from the open end of the tube, the ball of the male fastening device being cross-sectionally smaller then the hole in the tube and cross-sectional a larger than a width of the slot in the tube, the shank of the male fastening device being cross-sectionally smaller than the width of the slot.
 10. The closure system of claim 9, wherein the shank and the tube are aligned substantially coaxially when the male and female fastening devices are connected to one another.
 11. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the fastening devices are crimped into engagement with the respective ends of the elongated elastic member.
 12. A shoe system, comprising: a shoe having an upper, a tongue and a U-shaped opening in the upper above the tongue, the U-shaped opening having opposite first and second sides, a plurality of first eyelets and a plurality of second eyelets formed through the upper at locations in proximity to the respective first and second sides of the U-shaped opening, the eyelets being disposed in pairs with each pair having one first eyelet and an opposed second eyelet, the pairs of eyelets being spaced apart from one another in a heel-to-toe direction, each of the eyelets having and inner diameter; and a plurality of fasteners, each of the fasteners having an elongated resilient material with opposite first and second ends, first and second fastening devices secured respectively to the first and second ends of the elongated resilient material of each of the fasteners, the first and second fastening devices being releasably engageable with one another, the elongated resilient material and the first and second fastening devices having cross-sectional dimensions to fit through each of the eyelets so that in the first fastening device of one of said fasteners can be passed through the first eyelet in one of said pairs and so that the second fastening device of the respective fastener can be passed through the second eyelet in the respective pair with the first and second fastening devices being releasably connected to one another above the tongue to hold the first and second sides of the U-shaped opening in proximity to one another.
 13. The shoe system of claim 12, wherein the elongated resilient material is an elastic material.
 14. The shoe system of claim 13, wherein the elongated elastic material has a thickness and a width that exceeds the thickness, the elongated elastic material having indicia thereon along at least one surfaces defining the width.
 15. The shoe system of claim 14, wherein the width of the elongated elastic material exceeds a maximum cross-sectional dimension of the fastening devices.
 16. The shoe system of claim 15, wherein the indicia is printed or embroidered on the elastic material
 17. The shoe system of claim 13, wherein each of the fasteners has a length selected to hold the sides of the U-shaped opening in a selected proximity to one another.
 18. The shoe closure system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of fasteners corresponds in number to the plurality of pairs of eyelets.
 19. The shoe system of claim 13, wherein each first fastening device is a male fastening device and wherein each second fastening device is a female fastening device, each male fastening device having a narrow shank and a ball at an end of the shank remote from the elongated elastic member, each female fastening device having a tube with an open end and a slot extending from the open end, an enlarged hole extending into the tube at an end of the slot remote from the open end of the tube, the ball of the male fastening device being cross-sectionally smaller then the hole in the tube and cross-sectional a larger than a width of the slot in the tube, the shank of the male fastening device being cross-sectionally smaller than the width of the slot, the shank and the tube being aligned substantially coaxially when the male and female fastening devices are connected to one another.
 20. The closure system of claim 13, wherein the fastening devices are crimped into engagement with the respective ends of the elongated elastic member. 